MTPC’s Statement Regarding MA Rep. Seth Moulton
Friday, November 15, 2024
In the days following the election, we at MTPC initially set out to share a message of hope, solidarity, and commitment to you—our trans and nonbinary community members, as well as our ardent advocates and supporters—that we will not be set back. We will keep our eyes on the prize of building a safer and more equitable future.
All this remains true.
But we are compelled to address the dangerous and inflammatory anti-trans remarks of the recently reelected U.S. Representative Seth Moulton. Although others have called him in to discuss these harmful statements about transgender people, particularly athletes, he doubled down on them instead of listening to his transgender and nonbinary constituents. To add insult to injury. Rep. Moulton represents the Massachusetts 6th Congressional District, where one of his transgender constituents—a 16-year-old at that—was violently attacked in Gloucester by his peers and faced further ridicule and threats in the days and weeks following this attack.
To Rep. Seth Moulton: Shame on you! How dare you betray and abandon those who are among the most vulnerable of your constituents. How dare you turn your back on your constituents who are outside your office telling you that you missed the mark immediately after securing your reelection and decry them as the problem. Many who tout these anti-trans-athlete positions believe themselves enlightened and objective, that they are not anti-trans, but pro-fairness. When in reality, they are either being unwittingly used by violent anti-trans ideologues, or they are themselves more insidious actors than meets the eye.
These attacks on trans athletes in schools are a wedge tactic. They seek to find the weakest points in the safety and acceptance of transgender people so that they may break apart everything that we have achieved and deter our progress toward equity for all trans and nonbinary people. These methods have been particularly damaging to trans children and youth. To attack and belittle young people who are trying so hard to be themselves says magnitudes about your character. We wish you good luck because we are not going anywhere. We will stand our ground and we will overcome your short-sighted bigotry, hatred, and scapegoating.
To the people of the MA 6th District: While you may likely feel that you are being misrepresented by Rep. Moulton, know that MTPC and our partners, allies, and supporters are with you. We will represent you and advocate for you in every way that we can. Do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have concerns or questions, or want to get involved. We can do this together.
To the Democratic Party of Massachusetts: We demand that you make this right. It is time to call in your own and make it known that he has strayed too far from your platform. In 2021, your party set out its platform, which included these two key positions:
- “The protection of the rights of LGBTQ+ youth athletes, particularly transgender and nonbinary athletes, to afford them the full rights, access, and privileges their cisgender counterparts have in youth athletics.”
- “The protection and affirmation of the rights of transgender people and ensuring their safety, particularly that of trans youth.”
(https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RZf7sCpTmuvgP4CkEuxdvhAUDxebRBML/view?usp=sharing, taken from: https://www.massdems.org/our-platform)
To the allies and supporters of MTPC and transgender and nonbinary people in Massachusetts and everywhere: We need you more now than we have in a long time. It is time for you to stand up and loudly and proudly show your support, love, and compassion for transgender and nonbinary people. Do it for us. Show the trans people in your lives and around you that you will support them, that you will not settle for anything less than justice and equity, and that you believe in a future for them—one that is inclusive and affirming. Do it for those who would seek to silence, shame, and eradicate trans and nonbinary people. Let them know they are the ones who are on the wrong side of history. It is time for all of us to take action, to let bullies like Rep. Moulton know that they are not championing progress, but hatred and cowardice.
And, as you are able, we also need you to put your money where your heart is. It can be challenging to manage and fund a values-driven, liberation-focused nonprofit. Your donations not only make it possible for us to continue showing up against threats like this, but they also allow us to keep building toward that new future where trans and nonbinary people are valued and celebrated and can fully participate and thrive in all areas of society. Your support means so much to us. We truly cannot do this without you!
In solidarity, love, and trans power,
The Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition
For press and media inquiries: deputy@masstpc.org or leave a message at 857-891-4106.
To get involved with MTPC: https://www.masstpc.org/get-involved/
To make a donation to MTPC: https://www.masstpc.org/donate/
Download a printable / shareable PDF copy of this statement here.
